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America's International Role

Analysing global perceptions of Donald Trump following his victory in the November 2016 US presidential election, and exploring the impact on America's place in the world.

Donald Trump has promised that his presidency will radically change the direction of US foreign policy and revitalise US domestic politics. Looking at the US from an external perspective, Chatham House experts analyse implications of this new approach for other countries to help them to understand how the new president's policies will affect them.

While there is great uncertainty about America’s foreign policy, the environment in which Trump operates is more concrete and provides some boundaries to his policy options. As was the case for his predecessors, Trump will face domestic as well as international constraints, from the role of Congress to the actions of other states.

This section also houses content produced in the run-up to the 2016 US presidential election.

Research Paper

Trade Policy Under President Trump

If a new trade policy framework can be developed, Trump’s presidency could offer a chance to move the debate forward and actually strengthen global trade by addressing some genuine shortcomings within the current system, writes Marianne Schneider-Petsinger.

International Affairs

Does Donald Trump Have a Grand Strategy?

No, but he is not alone, write Peter Dombrowski and Simon Reich. Like his predecessors, and probably his successors, Trump will of necessity pursue multiple strategic approaches.

Chatham House Report

America’s International Role Under Donald Trump

Trump’s personality and style – brash, unpredictable, contradictory and thin-skinned – promises to have a meaningful impact on his engagement in foreign affairs, according to a major new report.